Loch Arkaig Corbetts
Hill walking route up Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Mhurlagain
From the western end of Loch Arkaig, a route following grass-covered crests, old walls and fence-lines, takes in 3 Corbett peaks of Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Mhurlagain on the edge of the Rough Bounds of Knoydart.
Route outline
| Corbetts | ||||
| Ascent | 1900m (6230ft) | |||
| Distance | 20km (12m) | |||
| Time | 8:10hr | |||
| Start/finish | Western end of Loch Arkaig Grid Ref : NM988916 | |||
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The remote and wild area west of Loch Arkaig, is a rugged and mountainous area, often referred to as the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. On the edge of this, rise the three Corbett peaks of Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, Fraoch Bheinn and Sgurr Mhurlagain, their grass-covered slopes scarred with crags and rocky outcrops.
The three Corbetts are quite distinct and as such involve a fair bit of ascent up pathless grassy slopes. Higher up an old wall and iron fence-lines aid navigation eastwards from Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoigh to Druim a' Chuirn, but otherwise there are no tracks or paths along the hill-crests.
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Route description
1. Getting to Loch Arkaig
At the western end of Loch Arkaig
In the Great Glen, Gairlochy and its locks on the Caledonian Canal sit a couple of miles west of the Commando Memorial above Spean Bridge.
From Gairlochy the narrow B8005 heads up to Loch Lochy's southern tip then turns westwards. From here on a very narrow and unclassified road a 12 mile drive travels through the mossy Mile Dorcha then hugs the northern shores of Loch Arkaig to its western end.
The road ends by a gate across the access to an estate track, just before which is a large parking area with designated bays for around 15 vehicles. If the car-park is full, there are various verge side parking areas before reaching the car-park, but care should be taken not to block passing places.
2. Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh
Heading along Glen Dessarry towards Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoigh
Leave the car-park, head around the gate and begin hiking up the estate track.
After just under 1km, the track comes to a junction 
by a few right-of-way signs - keep right as the track climbs uphill for a few metres.
The track drops down to the River Dessarry where the twin summits of Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh and Druim a' Chuirn overlooking Coire Chicheanais dominate the view ahead.
Continue hiking along the track for another 1km or so toward the estate house and outbuildings of Glendessarry 
. Just before reaching the buildings and after crossing a bridge over the Allt na Feithe, turn off the track and head uphill on a faint grassy track by a target practice area.
The track heads through a knackered old fence line then splits - take the left fork. A short distance further on, the track disappears into long grass - just continue over damp ground and cross the Allt Coire Chicheanais where suitable.
Now on the south-eastern shoulder of Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, follow its crest as it rises continuously up to the Corbett's complex summit with puddles and fine views.
On Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, view to Sgurr Mor
sits by the corner of a wall that rises up from Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh's north-western shoulder - this shoulder connects to An Eag on the Sgurr Nan Coireachan to Sgurr Mor ridge.On Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh, view to Sgurr Mor
3. Fraoch Bheinn
the 'obilisk' on Druim a' Chuirn
From Sgurr Cos na Breachd-laoidh's summit cairn, follow the remains of the wall and iron fence-posts north-east along the hill's mainly grass-covered crest. Some height is lost and the low point between the summit and the eastern top, Druim a' Chuirn is reached, where what appears from below to be a volcanic plug, reveals its true origin - just shattered rock 
.
A hike up a gentle grassy crest leads to Druim a' Chuirn's top 
, where the wall turns north-east and is therefore left behind for a descent down Druim a' Chuirn's south-east shoulder. No path, but no difficulties ahead, just a drop of 450m to flat ground where the Allt and Feithe 
is crossed.
On Fraoch Bheinn looking to Bidein a' Chabair and Carn Mor
, a grassy bank gently rises from right to left (south to north), aim for this and when reached, follow it up onto the crest of Fraoch Bheinn's southern shoulder. A faint path is picked up and followed northwards to the small cairn on the summit 
- a fine viewpoint due to this hill's isolated position.On Fraoch Bheinn looking to Bidein a' Chabair and Carn Mor
4. Sgurr Mhurlagain
Route down Coire na Cioche Bige
On Fraoch Bheinn's summit, about turn and retrace your steps back to where you arrived on the crest, then continue southwards dropping a bit more height until reaching fairly safe terrain above Coire na Cioche Bige 
.
Turn eastwards and begin to head down into Coire na Cioche Bige - there are some rocky ledges, but these are easily by-passed or gone around to reach the flat ground of Feith a' Bhrolaich 
.
Some soggy ground, then a couple of lines of ATV tracks are crossed before ground ahead begins to rise. A bit of a trudge of a hike up a grass covered slope for the next 1km leads up onto Sgurr Mhurlagain's wide south-western shoulder, where a faint path can be found to follow for another 1km to the hill's summit crest.
Summit of Sgurr Mhurlagain
.Summit of Sgurr Mhurlagain
5. Return to Loch Arkaig
Looking down Sgurr Mhurlagain's south-western shoulder
Sgurr Mhurlagain can be descended from virtually any point aiming southwards, but if you're heading directly back to the car-park at the western end of Loch Arkaig, prepare for a slog !
Re-trace your steps back down the south-western shoulder of Sgurr Mhurlagain to where you came onto the crest, then continue for a further 2km south-west until a fence 
is met. Cross the fence and aim due south down steeper terrain to meet with the road above Loch Arkaig to walk back along to the car-park.
Route profile »
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Lochaber Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
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Meall a' Phubuill from Fassfern | |
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Ben Aden from Loch Cuaich | |
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Sgurr Mor and Sgurr an Fhuarain | |
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